[Rasputin]

So I've been playing in a fairly regular game with about 10 people, most of which I've known for quite a while. Over the last 10ish games I've come in 1 or 2 in all but a couple games, and it's clear that I've got a noticably better understanding of the game than the rest of the group. They are a great group of people to play with, but I don't want to piss people off by winning all the time, but I also don't want to throw games or play like crap on purpose. My goal here is not to win people's money, but to have fun playing the game and to get more experience.

What do you do in this situation? I haven't gotten a vibe yet that anyone is pissed off, but the potential is there for it to happen.

Some backgound on the players - skill levels vary from very green to people who have played for a year or so and have some casino tourney experience. Everyone take the game seriously and plays to win, but I don't think anyone else has read a book or is at the point that they have a clue about pot odds (or for many proper pre and post flop betting).

I'd help out anyone that asks, but no one really asks for help or suggestions. I've tried to offer some general advice here and there, and some of it has stuck (betting is getting to be more appropriate and mad calling is going down) but I also don't want to be a prick know it all poker snob.

This is a great group of guys and gals to play with, what (if anything) do I do here?

[KYBill]

Come play at my house!

[Quads]

Keep playing, keep taking their chips, keep taking their money.

You are taking the time to invest in your game and improve it where you can, and it shows in your daily / weekly results. If others are not able to do that, why should your success be sacrificed?

The object of the game is to win. If your friends get pissed at your for winning, you might want to re-examine your friends!

"A lot of poker players don't understand the object of the game. The object of the game is to increase your wealth, improve your lifestyle, and provide for your family.”
~Chip Reese

[Rasputin]

Originally Posted by Quads

why should your success be sacrificed?

I agree that it shouldn't, but I don't want to play my way out of this group. They are fun to be around, and there aren't any pricks in the mix. If it's not for serious money I'd rather have a good time playing bad poker with good people than play better poker with a bunch of jerks. We're playing $20 buyins with friendly payouts so it's not serious money by any means.

The group of guys that I played with before I moved to where I'm at now were generally all about the same skill level, and in fact I was probably the worst player in that group for quite a while. The difference with that group is that we were always taking about and breaking down our game and getting better. Any tips on how I can move this group in that direction w/o coming off like pompus ass?

[Rasputin]

Originally Posted by KYBill

Come play at my house!

I would but I'm no where near ya!

[jojobinks]

make sure they enjy playing with you too. give help when people ask, and try to be one of the fun guys in the game.

when winners get in trouble is when they're too serious or dicks.

[Celot]

When you figure it out let me know, as I have the same thing happening?
We play every 2 weeks and I have a game every month at my house.
For the last 4 months I have finished 1st or 2nd in 1 of the 2 games we play at each gathering..I credit it to my lucky hat..but actually i've been reading up and paying attention to every game I can.These guys are not bad players..It just seems like I'm getting the cards. I'm enjoying it, but we do have 1 idiot..he got mad and stormed out the other night after the 2nd hand of the 1st game..Guys an idiot..Cards are dealt , I've got a pair of 5's ..I call the bigblind (I'm the small blind) as we all did...Flop comes up 5,7,5..I've got quads..I'm 1st, I check..The idiot is next..He goes allin..Everyone folds .I call..He flips up k-k and I show the 5's ..he shoves his chips at me and leaves in a huff..1st ,how can someone be so stupid as to go allin with a pair out on the flop and you don't have any of them..He's been playing with these guys for years and I'm relatively new (about a year)..I was worried they wouldn't want me to come anymore as He has been a close friend of theirs for years and he has been losing to me often lately..it seems whenever he has good cards I've got better..and I've been winning often...But they all agreed he was an ass and told me they'd rather I was there than him if it came down to it..So I really wouldn't worry about it if I was you..

[Ranman]

Sorry if this gets long but I had these same concerns when I started to hold regular games. I've been playing poker in one form or another for over 20 years. Just to be clear, I'm not, nor am I claiming to, be an expert pro poker player, but I can hold my own.
Not until the poker boom about 3 years ago did I concentrate mostly on Hold'em and start regular Hold'em games. I invited friends to play and just found a buy-in that was high enough to keep it friendly but worth playing proper poker ($10).
I won a high percentage of the games at first (not so much now that players have improved their games). After a time players came and went but all remained friends. This is unavoidable IMO. Some players are penny ante, gab session poker players that are more interested in drinking beer and eating, and some are genuinely interested in learning and improving there game (although beer and food is a good thing with them too ).

I have since started higher stake games and tourneys ($20-$60 range) and lower ($5) games in addition to my $10 game. So I am still able to play with all my friends (just different games).

I do sort of "adjust" my game to match the crowd. Don't get me wrong, I don't play to loose or anything but I play looser or tighter, depending on the game, which is what you would do anyway at a B&M game so actually I get practice in adjusting my game to the situation.

Bottom line is no one was/is forced to play. Many have become better players over time (as will your's if they choose to) and you'll probably see your win rate fall. Enjoy it while you can .

You have said you keep it friendly and not too serious, which is good. Your previous group took the time to Analise the game and become better players, which is what my group does as well. It may be hard to do this with your new group without actually suggesting it to them and seeing if they want to do it. My low stake players don't really care but my higher stake players jump at the chance to discuss how to play better poker. I find it best not to offer poker advise unless asked.

Sorry, it got long (but I warned you )

Ranman

[Nexttime]

Originally Posted by Rasputin

Re: What do you do if you are winning most of the home games you play with your friends?

Umm. Keep inviting them to play and raise the stake.

[Lucky Louie]

I think its good that you've thought about this. It shows that you have some compassion. Unless you have heard some grumbling from the group, I wouldn't worry about it too much.

I think of it this way. When I go to play in a tourney, if I don't place in the money, I don't really give much of a rats arse who wins. I just know that I didn't. There would be more of a problem if 3 guys just dominated the money every week. Even if you are the strongest player, I'm thinking the rest of the players have a fighting chance at some money too.

If they get sick of losing, they'll stop coming as often. I know you would like to avoid this. But if these are really your friends, you will have lots of other activities besides poker in which to hang out together.

Until then.......schedule more games!